Apparatus for determining and expressing rate



17964 c; E; ROGERS 3 ,159,340

APPARATUS FOR DETERMINING AND EXPRESSING RATE Original Filed Feb. 5, 1957 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 on: g noun TIME I INVENTOR. CHARLES E. ROGERS BY k $31 M ATTORNEYS Dec. 1, 1964 c. E. ROGERS 3,159,340

APPARATUS FOR DETERMINING AND EXPRESSING RATE Original Filed Feb. 5, 19 57 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 /33 ZS 32 30 FIG. 2

ll lo EEEEEE 25 ATTORNEYS ilation.

i flupon the disc 10.

United States Patent 3,159,340 I APPARATUS FOR DETERMINING AND EXPRESSING RATE Charles Rogers, 612 Cliilside Drive, Akron, Ohio, as-

signor of one-half to John E. Alce, Akron, @hio Continuation of application Serial No. 638,399, Feb. 5,

1%? This application July 17, 1962, Ser. No. 2113 25 2 Claims. (Cl. zsa-si The present invention relates to the determination and expression of rate. More particularly, the invention relates to apparatus for determining the quantity or degree of an intermittent digital event or measurable phenomenon per unit of reference quantity and expressing same as an analogue value.

Any event or phenomenon which can be detected can also be expressed as a numerical quantity, that is, counted. Suitable devices or instruments for detecting or signaling the occurrence of a phenomenon range in complexity from a manually-operated push button to radar, The fact of such occurrences, when detected, may be transmitted to and recorded on suitable indicator. The numerical values thus determined have data significance. However, there are many situations where an expression of rate, that is, the ratio between the quantity measured and a reference quantity, is desired. Such a rate determination, expressed as an analogue or electrical value, has many potentially useful applications.

It is therefore an object of the invention to provide improved apparatus for determining the rate of phe-' nomena occurrence.

Further, it is an object to provide apparatus for determining rate-which will operate in combination With a means for detecting the fact of phenomena occurrence, and express the determined rate as an analogue value.

These and further specific objects of the invention will be apparent in view of the following detailed descrip tion thereof taken in conjunction with the attached drawings.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a plane schematic of apparatus embodying the invention;

FIG. 2 shows the apparatus of FIG. 1 in elevation; and

FIG. 3 is a schematic View of one form of electrical circuit according to the invention.

A form of apparatus embodying the invention is indicated generally by the numeral 5. The essential elements of such apparatus are: an axially mounted relatively large diameter disc 6; a threaded shaft 53 mounted ICC of rotation per each revolution of the disc '6 is deter mined by the total number (i) of phenomenon occurrence. Thus, for every given rate there will be an imaginary circle on the disc 6 having a radius (x), the circumference of which has a linear speed exactly matching the linear speed of disc 10 necessary to maintain an in balance condition relative to the shaft it. The disc 10 will always be positioned at such equilibrium point and Will indicate the rate. If the rate increases, thedisc 10 will move toward the rim of disc 6; if the rate decreases,

the disc it will move toward the center of disc.

The radius (x) of the imaginary circle on disc 6, that is, the point at which the forces provided by disc 6 and shaft 8 are in equilibrium, is determined by the following equation.

( xDR d 360 which solves as fidlli 18012 where:

D equals inches diameter of the large disc 6, I

R equals revolutions per reference quantity of disc 6,

el equals inches diameter of the small disc 10,

Aequals degrees of angular rotation of the shaft 8 for each phenomenon occurrence, and

1' equals total number of phenomenon occurrences for each revolution of disc 6.

The shaft 8 is actuated by-a means 14 which will impart to the shaft the predetermined degree of rotation for each occurrence of a phenomenon. The means 14 is signalled to rotate shaft 8 by a remotely located phenomena detecting means 16. Electrical means 18 which are responsive to the equilibrium position of disc 19 expresses the rate of phenomena occurrence as an electrical signal having an analogue value which may be recorded by a suitable instrument 20.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the disc 6 is axially mounted on the output shaft 21 of an electric motor 22. The motor 22. is preferably a synchronous type andis provided witheither suitable controls or gearing, 'or a combination of both, to enable the operator of the apparatus to select the output rpm. 1 Theflshaft 8 is threaded preferably with a continuous fine thread 23, the number of threads per inch being de- "termined by-the sensitivity or speed of response desired.

revolutions, functions as the reference quantity; that fis,

the denominator of a rate calculation. The threaded shaft, 8 is rotated a predetermined numberhof degress of. each occurrence of the phenomenon being detected so that the. angular-1y displaced shaft threads provide a mechanical force against the hub 11 of the. small disc 1th. The angular rotation (A), for each phenomenon I occurrence, functions asthenumerator of a rate calcu The large disc 6 [is preferably rotated so as. to drive the small disc 10 toward the center ofdiscfi. The shaft 3 is preferably rotated ."so as to drive the small .disc ltl toward the rim ofdisc 6. In 'a'uy'even-t, the two;

mechanical forcesmust act in oppositionitoeach other Both endsof the shaft are journaled in stanchions 24, set apart on opposite sides of the disc 6, so that the longitudinal axis ofthe-shaft intersects the rotational axis of the disc atsubstantially a'rightang'le. The shaft 8 is actuated bya suitable means 14 which is mechanically The means 1 14 is preferably an elecsolenoid or an electric motor, withjorwithout suitable intermediate gearing and means toterminate itsoperating cycle- The actuating means 14 is" provided with suitable controls to enable the operator of the apparatus 1 to selectthe degree ofrotation to be imparted tothe shaft 8 for each occurrence of a phenomenon detected w by the'means 16.'

Within the spirit of the invention, the detecting means 16 may be any device or instrument, or combination of devices, which will sense the occurrence of the phenomenon being measured and transmit a signal impulse, either directly to the actuating means 14 or through intermediate relays or amplifiers, indicating each occurrence of the phenomenon. Examples of suitable detecting means include: a fluid filled tube for determining the rate of automobile trafi'lc; photoelectric-cells sensing the passage of solid objects; beta-ray gauges for sensing variations in density of sheet material; etc. If desired, the signal from the detecting means 16 may also be fed into a counter or totalizer so that the mere number of phenomenon occurrences will be visually indicated.

In the form of apparatus shown and described herein, the disc 10 is provided with a bracket 26 having clevislike lower ends 27 rigidly attached to the disc hub 11 and an upper flange 28 slidably supported on a cross bar 30. The bar 39 is afiixed at either end to a stanchion 24. Attached to the bracket as, above the cross bar 36, is a clip 31. A dial cord 32 is connected to the clip 31 and is trained through a first pair of pulleys 33, at the upper end of the stanchions 24, a second pair of pulleys 34 adjacent the lower end of the stanchions, and an intermediate pulley 35 located beneath the disc 6 adjacent the motor 22. As described elsewhere herein, the rate of phenomena occurrence is expressed by the equilibrium position of the disc id. The dial cord 32 is connected to an electrical means 18 located beneath the disc so that the position of the disc 10 will be expressed as a setting on the electrical means 18.

Within the spirit of the invention, the electrical means 18 may be any device or instrument, or combination of devices, which is adjustable so as to alter the characteristics of an electrical current, being transmitted to a recording means 21 In the apparatus of FIGS. 1 and 2, the electrical means 18 is a potentiometer having a wiper arm pulley 36 connected to the dial cord 32. Other electrical devices which will transmit an analogue value, such as a servo-mechanism, could also be used. The electrical means 13 could also be a calibrated meter which, when set in a suitable manner by the disc 10, could be read directly in terms of rate of phenomena occurrence. If desired, the dial reading of such a meter could be transmitted through a closed circuit television to a remotely located receiver.

The recording means 2% may be any known device or instrument, or combination of devices, which will respond to the analogue signal from the electrical means 18 and provide either an instantaneous indication or a permanent record. The recording means 2% is synchronized with the disc 6, either mechanically or electrically, so that the analogue signal from the electrical means 18 and the reference quantity as established by the rotation of the disc 6, will be of the same order of magnitude.

An electrical circuit for use with the mechanical elements of the apparatus is shown schematically in FIG. 3. In addition to the shaft actuating means 14, the disc drive motor 22 and the electrical means 18 (or potentiometer 36), the circuit includes a terminal strip 4-0. The detecting means 16 is connected to the terminals 41 and 42 and energizes a holding relay &3 that energizes the shaft actuating means 14 such as a fractional horsepower electric motor. If a rotary solenoidis used as the means 14, the relay 43 would not be required. The current for operation of the actuating means 14 and the synchronous motor 22 is supplied from a transformer 44. transformer is supplied from terminals 45 and 46 and controlled by a switch 47.

The rate determining and indicating portion of the circuit of FIG. '3 preferably utilizes a direct current volt- Power to the age which more readily lends itself to precise regulation.

The transformer '44 supplies an alternating'voltage to a bridge network utilizing selenium rectifiers 4-8. The rectified voltage passes through a limiting resistor 49 in se 'es with a gas type voltage regulator tube 59. The resistor plus the tube will always equal the output of the rectifiers 4d and thus ensure a constant voltage being applied to a calibrating potentiometer 52.

The operator adjusts the setting of the potentiometer 52 (see also FIG. 2) to determine the voltage applied to potentiometer 36, and thus is able to locate the indicating element of a recording means 26 at any desired position relative to the position of disc 10. The wiper arm 54 of the potentiometer 18 is positioned by disc 1%, in a manner such as described above, and the proportionate voltage thus selected is supplied to the output terminals 55 and 56. The recording means 2G is connected to the terminals 55 and 56.

Apparatus according to the invention may be utilized, for example, to determine and record the rate of tratfic flow through an intersection. The sensing means 16 would be a fluid filled tube placed across the roadway and equipped with a relay so that each car passing thereover would signal the shaft actuating means 12. The recording means 2% would be a continuous chart instrument plotted as number of units vs. time in hours.

As described above, the operator of the apparatus would use potentiometer 52 to locate the indicating element of the recording means Zil at a reference point. It would also be desirable for the operator to set the apparatus so that for an average rate of phenomena occurrence, the equilibrium position of the disc it) would be midway between the center of the disc 6 and its rim. Such a midway setting is determined by the following equation:

where D, R, A and d are expressed as described above and 1 equals the average number of phenomena occurrence for each revolution of the disc 6.

Assume that a preliminary survey indicates that at rush hours 240 cars per hour passed over the indicating means. Assume also that under normal conditions only 60 cars per hour passed. Thus, the average number of phenomena occurrence per hour would be 150. Assume also that the disc 6 is 10 inches in diameter, the shaft 8 rotates for each impulse from the detecting means 16, and the diameter of disc it is 2 inches.

The Formula 0 solves for R as dAi (d) D Using the exemplary values set forth above R=l5. Thus, the motor 22 should be adjusted to rotate the disc 6 at 15 revolutions per reference quantity, which in this case is one hour. Potentiometer 52 is also adjusted so that the indicating element is located at a point on the chart of recording means 2h equivalent to the quantity 150. Also, as described above, movement of the chart through the recording means it is synchronized so that for 15 revolutions of the disc 6 the chart will move the equivalent of one hour.

When the rate of traliic flow increases, the setting of potentiometer 36 will be changed'to transmit a higher voltage to the recording means 26. When the rate dethe essential elements of the invention could be made. therein without departing from the spirit of the invention as expressed in the claims. For example, a plurality of shafts 8 each carrying a disc 16, could be supportedradially of the axis of rotation of a single disc 6, and could determine and indicate a plurality of rates, so long as the reference quantities were of the same order of magnitude.

Also, pneumatic or mechanical means could be used to read or determine the position of the disc on the cross bar 30. The setting of the disc 10 could even be read directly if the cross bar 30 were suitably calibrated. Also, an analogue signal from the electrical means 1% could be used as a source of feedback information for an automated control system. Still other uses for the invention will suggest themselves to those skilled in the art.

What is claimed is:

1. A combination electro-mechanical computing'apparatus tor producing a continuous electrical analog output signal comprising,

a first axially mounted rotatable disc,

means for rotating said first disc at a preselected number of revolutions per reference quantity,

stanchions on opposite sides of said first disc,

a threaded shaft journaled in said stanchions so that the longitudinal axis of said threaded shaft intersects the rotational axis of said first disc at substantially a right angle,

the axis of said threaded shaft being disposed in a plane spaced apart from and parallel to a plane defined by said first dis'c,

a bar connected to said stanchions above said shaft,

means for detecting digital quantities and intermittent phenomena and converting said quantities and phenomena into electrical signals,

signal responsive means for rotating said threaded shaft through a preselected degree of angular displacement for each phenomenon occurrence,

a second disc having an axial portion continuously engaging the threads of said shaft and a peripheral portion continuously engaging a surface of said first disc, the relative position of said peripheral portion of said second disc continuously changing With respect to said rotational axis of said first disc in response to said angular displacement of said threaded shaft whereby said digital quantities and intermittent phenomena are continuously electro-mechanically diiierentiated with respect to said reference quantity,

a bracket slidably supported on said cross bar, and

attached to the hub of said second disc,

and potentiometer means ope-ratively associated with said bracket to continuously transmit an electrical analog output signal which is an analog of said changing position of said second disc, wherebysaid electrical output signal is a continuous analog of the variable rate of digital quantities and intermittent phenomena per reference quantity. 2. Combination apparatus, according to claim 1, said apparatus further comprising,

means for continuously recording said electrical analog output signal.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent No 5,159,340 December 1, 1964 Charles E, Rogers It is hereby certified that error appears in the above numbered patent requiring correction and that the said Letters Patent should read as corrected below.

Column 1, line 21, before "suitable" insert a line 40, for "plane schematic" read plan schematic line 62, for "of each" read for each Signed and sealed this 1st day of June 1965.

(SEAL) Attest:

ERNEST W. SWIDER EDWARD J. BRENNER Attesting Officer Commissioner of Patents UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent No, 3,159,340 December 1, 1964 Charles E, Rogers It is hereby certified that error appears in the'above numbered patent requiring correction and that the said Letters Patent should read as corrected below.

Column 1, line 21, before "suitable" insert a line 40, for "plane schematic" read plan schematic line 62, for "of each" read for each Signed and sealed this lst day of June 1965.

(SEAL) Attest:

ERNEST W. SWIDER' EDWARD J. BRENNER Attesting Officer Commissioner of Patents 

1. A COMBINATION ELECTRO-MECHANICAL COMPUTING APPARATUS FOR PRODUCING A CONTINUOUS ELECTRICAL ANALOG OUTPUT SIGNAL COMPRISING, A FIRST AXIALLY MOUNTED ROTABLE DISC, MEANS FOR ROTATING SAID FIRST DISC AT A PRESELECTED NUMBER OF REVOLUTIONS PER REFERENCE QUANTITY, STANCHIONS ON OPPOSITE SIDES OF SAID FIRST DISC, A THREADED SHAFT JOURNALED IN SAID STANCHIONS SO THAT THE LONGITUDINAL AXIS OF SAID THREADED SHAFT INTERSECTS THE ROTATIONAL AXIS OF SAID FIRST DISC AT SUBSTANTIALLY A RIGHT ANGLE, THE AXIS OF SAID THREADED SHAFT BEING DISPOSED IN A PLANE SPACED APART FROM AND PARALLEL TO A PLANE DEFINED BY SAID FIRST DISC, A BAR CONNECTED TO SAID STANCHIONS ABOVE SAID SHAFT, MEANS FOR DETECTING DIGITAL QUANTITIES AND INTERMITTENT PHENOMENA AND CONVERTING SAID QUANTITIES AND PHE NOMENA INTO ELECTRICAL SIGNALS, SIGNAL RESPONSIVE MEEANS FOR ROTATION SAID THREADED SHAFT THROUGH A PRESELECTED DEGREE OF ANGULAR DISPLACEMENT FOR EACH PHENOMENON OCCURRENCE, A SECOND DISC HAVING AN AIAL PORTION CONTINUOSLY ENGAGING THE THREADS OF SAID SHAFT AND A PERPHERAL PORTION CONTINUOUSLY ENGAGING A SURFACE OF SAID FIRST DISC, THE RELATIVE POSITION OF SAID PERIPHERAL PORTION OF SAID SECOND DISC CONTINUOUSLY CHANGING WITH RESPECT TO SAID ROTATIONAL AXIS OF SAID FIRST DISC IN RESPONSE TO SAID ANGULAR DISPLACEMENT OF SAID THREADED SHAFT WHEREBY SAID DIGITAL QUANTITIES AND INTERMITTENT PHENOMENA ARE CONTINUOUSLY ELECTRO/MECHANICALLY DIFFERENTIATED WITH RESPECT TO SAID REFERENCE QUANTITY, A BRACKET SLIDABLY SUPPORTED ON SAID CROSS BAR AND ATTACHED TO THE HUB OF SAID SECOND DISC, AND POTENTIOMETER MEANS OPERATIVELY ASSOCIATED WITH SAID BRACKET TO CONTINUOUSLY TRANSMIT AN ELECTRICAL ANALOG OUTPUT SIGNAL WHICH IS AN ANALOG OF SAID CHANGING POSITION OF SAID SECOND DISC, WHEREBY SAID ELECTRICAL OUTPUT SIGNAL WHICH IS A CONTINUOUS ANALOG OF THE VARIABLE RATE OF DIGITAL QUANTITIES AND INTERMITTENT PHENOMENA PER REFERENCE QUANTITY. 